A chronological text structure tells about events in the order they occur. Signal words such as before, then, during, and finally tell you a text is organized by chronology. Other words that signal chronology include first, second, next, later, after, and thereafter.
Read the paragraph below. Circle signal words that indicate its text structure.
I’ll never forget the storm last October. Before the storm started, I found some blankets and flashlights. During the storm, I played games with my family. Finally, I turned on the radio and listened to the local weather report. Crack!
A problem–solution text structure tells about a problem and how it can be solved. Look for signal words such as problem, solution, challenge, fixed, issue, and resolved.
Read the paragraph below. Circle signal words that indicate its text structure.
The ground shook as a tree in our front yard toppled over, falling across power lines and cutting off our electricity. We faced the challenge of getting through the night without lights or heat. We resolved the first issue with flashlights and candles. Dad fixed the second problem by making a fire in the fireplace.
Below, summarize one problem and its solution as identified in the passage.
Problem Solution
Learning how writers put together their ideas helps you follow along and find information quickly. You can also try using similar structures in your own writing.
Theme: Real-Life Adventures
Text Structures, Part 2: Chronology and Problem–Solution
Lesson 15 CCLS RI.4.5: Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology . . . problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text.
L15: Text Structures, Part 2: Chronology and Problem–Solution136
Read the start of a memoir about a man who takes care of an injured wild animal.
Explore how to answer this question: “What is the text structure of the first paragraph?”
Reread the first paragraph. Circle any signal words that tell you how this text is organized. Look back at the two lists of signal words on page 135 to help you.
Now complete this diagram with details from the first paragraph.
Event 1 Event 2 Event 3 Event 4
saw the fox by the shed one June morning
attached the splint to the fox’s leg
Describe the text structure of the first paragraph. Use details from the text in your answer.
Treating the Red Fox by Mark B. Champlin
I first spotted the red fox on a June morning. It was beside the tool shed, trembling.
I approached the animal cautiously and saw its left hind leg was injured. I went inside my
cabin and got my medical bag. Then, with caution, I returned to the fox. Next, I gently
lifted its injured leg and decided to attach a splint. The fox settled back and let me proceed
with my work. On my porch, I set up a wooden box padded with pillows so the fox could
heal. Beside the box I placed bowls of food and water that I refilled daily.
One morning in July, I stepped out to the porch and saw that the red fox was gone.
I checked the porch each day after, but the fox was nowhere to be found.(continued)
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Part 4: Guided Practice
Use the Hints on this page to help you answer the questions.
1 Which of the following best describes the text structure used to connect the events told about in paragraphs 1 and 2?
A Chronological: Paragraphs 1 and 2 tell what happened between the launch and the Eagle’s approach to the Moon.
B Problem–solution: Paragraphs 1 and 2 tell what troubles the astronauts had during the flight and how they solved them.
C Chronological: Paragraphs 1 and 2 tell how the astronauts landed on the Moon and went for a walk afterward.
D Problem–solution: Paragraphs 1 and 2 tell how the Eagle was able to separate from the command ship in order to land.
2 Paragraphs 3 and 4 describe a problem that Neil Armstrong faced. Those paragraphs also describe the solution he reached.
Describe the problem:
Describe the solution:
3 Describe the evidence you see of the author using a problem–solution text structure in paragraphs 3 and 4 of this passage. Use at least three words or phrases from the passage to support your answer.
The astronauts’ flight from Earth to the Moon was uneventful. Nothing happened that needed fixing.
Hints
Typically, in a problem–solution structure, the writer describes the problem first, then describes one or more possible solutions.
Signal words are evidence that the author is using a problem–solution text structure.
L15: Text Structures, Part 2: Chronology and Problem–Solution140
Part 5: Common Core Practice
Read this memoir. Then answer the questions that follow.
Tenzing Norgay, along with Sir Edmund Hillary, was one of the first two people to reach the summit of Mount Everest on May 29th, 1953. The following passage is taken from his autobiography.
from Tiger of the Snows: The Autobiography of Tenzing of Everest
by Tenzing Norgay
1 On top of the rock cliff we rested again. Certainly, after the climb up the gap we were both a bit breathless, but after some slow pulls at the oxygen I am feeling fine. I look up; the top is very close now; and my hearts thumps with excitement and joy. Then we are on our way again. Climbing again . . . . 2 Then the rocks, too, are beneath us. We are back among the snowy humps. They are curving off to the right, and each time we pass one I wonder, “Is the next the last one? Is the next the last?” Finally we reach a place where we can see past the humps, and beyond them is the great open sky and brown plains. We are looking down the far side of the mountain upon Tibet. Ahead of us now is only one more hump—the last hump. It is not a pinnacle. The way to it is an easy snow slope, wide enough for two men to go side by side. About thirty feet away we stop for a minute and look up. Then we go on . . . . 3 A little below the summit Hillary and I stopped. We looked up. Then we went on. The rope that joined us was thirty feet long, but I held most of it in loops in my hand, so that there was only about six feet between us . . . . 4 We stepped up. We were there. The dream had come true . . . . 5 What we did first was what all climbers do when they reach the top of their mountain. We shook hands. But this was not enough for Everest. I waved my arms in the air and then threw them around Hillary, and we thumped each other on the back until, even with the oxygen, we were almost breathless. Then we looked around. It was eleven-thirty in the morning, the sun was shining, and the sky was the deepest blue I have ever seen. Only a gentle breeze was blowing, coming from the direction of Tibet, and the plume of snow that always blows from Everest’s summit was very small . . . .
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Part 5: Common Core Practice
6 It was such a sight as I had never seen before and would never see again: wild, wonderful, and terrible. But terror was not what I felt. I loved the mountains too well for that. I loved Everest too well. At that great moment for which I had waited all my life my mountain did not seem to me a lifeless thing of rock and ice, but warm and friendly and living. She was a mother hen, and the other mountains were chicks under her wings. I too, I felt, had only to spread my own wings to cover and shelter the brood that I loved.
1 Which sentence from the passage tells of a problem and its solution?
A “Certainly, after the climb up the gap we were both a bit breathless, but after some slow pulls at the oxygen I am feeling fine.”
B “The way to it is an easy snow slope, wide enough for two men to go side by side.”
C “I waved my arms in the air and then threw them around Hillary, and we thumped each other on the back until, even with the oxygen, we were almost breathless.”
D “It was such a sight as I had never seen before and would never see again: wild, wonderful, and terrible.”
2 Which of the following best describes the text structure of paragraph 2?
A Problem–solution: Paragraph 2 explains how Tenzing and Hillary solved the problem of moving among the snowy humps.
B Chronological: Paragraph 2 tells how Tenzing and Hillary passed the snowy humps and reached the snow slope.
C Problem–solution: Paragraph 2 explains how Tenzing and Hillary overcame the snow slope to reach the pinnacle.
D Chronological: Paragraph 2 tells how many minutes passed between walking past the first snowy hump and reaching the snow slope.
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Part 5: Common Core Practice
3 The sentences below are from Tiger of the Snows.
We went on slowly, steadily. And we were there. Hillary
stepped on top . And I stepped up after him. . . .
Which words most likely go in the two blanks?
A then, first
B before, last
C while, before
D next, during
4 Part of paragraph 5 is shown below.
What we did first was what all climbers do when they reach the top of their mountain. We shook hands. But this was not enough for Everest. I waved my arms in the air and then threw them around Hillary, and we thumped each other on the back until, even with the oxygen, we were almost breathless. Then we looked around. It was eleven-thirty in the morning, the sun was shining, and the sky was the deepest blue I have ever seen.
Describe the text structure the writer uses to organize this information. Use at least three specific details from the text to support your answer.
Go back and see what you can check off on the Self Check on page 117.Self Check
